Switzerland resists imposing own sanctions against Russia

"The Swiss foreign ministry considers Russian actions in Ukraine to be an “invasion” and a

“gross violation of international law”, according to a statement issued Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis announced that Switzerland would support EU sanctions in the areas of travel and finance but would still not impose sanctions of its own.

A concrete example is that while the EU will freeze assets of people on its sanctions list, Switzerland will only ensure that its banks do not accept further funds from these individuals. This is to prevent sanctioned Russians from using Switzerland to get around EU measures.

State Secretary Livia Leu justified the move by citing Switzerland's good offices role and alluded in particular to the protecting power mandate it undertakes between Russia and Georgia." Swissinfo